Tag: letters to the editor

A welcome truceThe U.S.-brokered truce between Israel and Hezbollah is welcome as it marks the first meaningful de-escalation in West Asia since 2023. While Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that his country reserves the right to take military action if terrorist infrastructure is rebuilt, he cannot remain oblivious to international opprobrium for his unconscionable and disproportionate response to the October 7 Hamas attack. More than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed. M. Jeyaram, Sholavandan, Tamil Nadu A re-enactment There seems to be no end to the growing anarchy in Bangladesh. The disconnect between the government and its people has been the one common factor in socio-political uprisings, irrespective of the spread of world geography. In ...

Constitution day It is quite pertinent for our lawmakers to rededicate themselves to the ideals enshrined in the Constitution. Yet, it is baffling that most of the time, the oaths that our representatives take are not respected while discharging their duties. The architects of the Constitution gave pivotal importance to “equity and probity” in governance. Given the overarching imperatives for the last mile delivery of welfare governance, there needs to be an unflinching congruence in the functioning of the legislation, the executive and the judiciary. G. Ramasubramanyam, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh Court on EVMs The Supreme Court of India has sent the right message to political parties (Inside pages, “EVMs are tampered when you lose, fine if you win: SC”, November 27...

Court on the PreambleThe highest court’s verdict on the petitions challenging the inclusion of the words ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ in the Preamble to the Constitution is a triumph for all right-thinking citizens of this nation (Front page, “‘Secular, socialist’ to stay in Constitution’s Preamble: SC”, November 26). Secularism has been an enduring principle of governance since Independence, even if some governments have not fully honoured it. It has served the nation well, safeguarding our pluralistic ethos and fostering harmony. Preserving this ideal is essential to avoiding the upheaval that its erosion would undoubtedly bring. As for ‘socialism’, the petitioners appear to have misunderstood its intent, conflating it with the authoritarianism of Stalin’s USSR or Mao’s China. However, ...

Baku’s bleak outlookThe Baku climate conference appears to have delivered a deadly blow to international efforts in limiting global warming. At a time when the developing nations are already struggling to emerge out of the economic slowdown triggered by the ongoing wars in Europe and West Asia, it would be an impossible task for them to mobilise the necessary finances for adaptation and climate mitigation. In addition, the political change in the United States will bring its own set of challenges in the journey of global climate actions. With developed countries reneging on their responsibility to help the developing nations fight climate change, the outlook for global climate mitigation efforts appears bleak. As such, the Global South needs to find innovative ways to find the resources to...

The Maharashtra resultThe blame for the crushing defeat of the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the Maharashtra election fall squarely on the Congress party. On the contrary, the MVA’s rival, the Mahayuti Alliance, promptly reconciled itself to the situation after its lacklustre performance in the 2024 general election. Its fine-tuning of the organisational machinery and spirited campaigns fetched it the result. The victory of the INDIA bloc in Jharkhand has more to do with the strong connect established by the JMM. The Congress needs to undertake an in-depth review of its many political shortcomings. V. Johan Dhanakumar, Chennai On a legend Singer T.M. Krishna, in a lecture in Hyderabad, made a reference to the legend, M.S. Subbulakshmi, and how she gained acceptance in the broade...

‘Bribery and fraud’The U.S. Department of Justice’s five-count criminal indictment of the chairman of the Adani Group and several of his associates not only jeopardises the credibility of the Adani Group but also casts a shadow over India’s corporate governance standards. The charges highlight systemic weaknesses in regulatory oversight, exposing how unchecked power can erode trust in India’s business landscape. The case underscores the need for India to reinforce its regulatory mechanisms. Corporate ambition must not overshadow ethical governance as the credibility of the “India growth story” hinges on trust and accountability. This is a defining moment to ensure that India’s economic progress is accompanied by integrity. Pavithra M., Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu It is baffling that on...

Speech and arrestThe sentencing of an actor for hate speech should serve as a precedent. One expects the same yardstick to be applied in hate speech directed against some other communities also (Editorial, November 21). R. Shankaran, Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu The actor is known to deliver fiery and distasteful speeches on a number of issues. This is certainly not the first time of transgression by her. Perhaps the media needs to follow the interviews and speeches made by various public personalities. In a mature democracy such as India, everyone has the responsibility to express their opinions but they must maintain a certain level of decency on social media and in public spaces. C.V. Vasudevan, Chennai It is worth noting that many public figures make intemperate ...